Maurice Abravanel did for the Utah Symphony Orchestra what Charles Dutoit did for Montreal: namely, put them on the musical map and turn a so-so group, at best, into a very respectable organization. Of his many recordings with them, he is perhaps best-known for his Mahler renditions. And for good reason; they are, without fail, well-performed, convincing in interpretation, emotive without being bombastic, and elegant. The recording of the magnificent Second Symphony, sampled here, is one of the more beautifully executed of the series.